Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, is a very common brain disorder that is predominantly found in children but can continue through adulthood (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). It prevents individuals from focusing their attention, and individuals often have trouble with their conduct due as well (hyperactivityto hyperactivity or , impulsivity). Brain imaging studies have revealed that the brain matures normally in youth with ADHD, but it is delayed an average of 3 years. The delay is most profound in the brain region involving planning, thinking, and paying attention. More recent studies have found that the outer layer of the brain showed overall maturation delays, and some abnormal growth patterns in the brain structure that is involves proper communication (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). The key behaviors of ADHD are impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. Other symptoms of ADHD include difficulty staying focused on a specific task, paying attention to the task at hand, difficulty controlling behavior and impulses, and hyperactivity. These symptoms can make it very difficult for a child or adult with ADHD to succeed in school, get along with others, or finish tasks at home or in the workplace (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). It is normal for a child to be hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive at times, but for children with ADHD, it is much more severe and it occurs more often than the average child. The underlining symptoms are not the only thing a person must be concerned about when getting a diagnosis of ADHD. There are coexisting conditions and other issues that can be a... ... middle of paper ... ...ficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Retrieved from MayoClinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/basics/definition/CON-20023647?DSECTION=all&p=1 Robert, L. (2013, September). ADHD Treatment Driven by Parents’ Preferences. Retrieved from Psychiatric Times: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/adhd/adhd-treatment-driven-parents’-preferences U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (NIMH) Retrieved from National Institutes of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/index.shtml Visser, S. N., Blumberg, S., Danielson, M., Bitsko, R., & Kogan, M. (203, Jan). State-Based and Demographic Variation in Parent- Reported Medication Rates for Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, 2007–2008. CDC: Preventing Chronic Disease .
Stolzer, PhD, J. M. (2007). The ADHD Epidemic in America. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 9, 109-116.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), once called hyperkinesis or minimal brain dysfunction, is one of the most common mental disorders among children. (Elia, Ambrosini, Rapoport, 1999) It affects 3 to 5 percent of all children, with approximately 60% to 80% of these children experiencing persistence of symptoms into adolescence and adulthood, causing a lifetime of frustrated dreams and emotional pain. There are two types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an inattentive type and a combined type. The symptoms of ADHD can be classified into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This behaviour stops ADHD sufferers from focussing deliberately on organising and completing a specific task that they may not enjoy, learning new skills or information is proved to be impossible. An example of such behaviour is recognised by the report written by the National Institute of Mental Health where one of the subjects under study was unable to pass schooling examinations due to her inattentive behaviour. Such behaviour can damage the person's relationships with others in addition to disrupting their daily life, consuming energy, and diminishing self-esteem. (National Institute of Mental Health 1999) There are also secondary symptoms which are associated with ADHD, such as learning disorders, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, tic disorders, and conduct disorders. (Spencer, Biederman, and Wilens 1999 in Monastra V, Monastra D, George, 2002)
Robb, Adelaid(2008), ADHD and Substance Use: The Importance of Integrated Treatment, NAMI Beginnings, Issue 11, 2008.
Political correctness and the constant fear of impending litigation from any number of sources has forced society to find other means through which they can control their children. Though other avenues for treatment exist, recent developments in educational and familial systems have produced a situation where children are over prescribed stimulant medications to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for educational purposes. For that reason, we must consider the appropriate treatment for ADHD in education. Four main aspects to this issue need to be discussed in order to fully understand the situation: a description of ADHD, the symptoms of ADHD, the statistical information regarding the over prescription and a description/history of stimulant use, and some possible alternatives to drug therapy.
According to Dr. Robert Epstein, Medco’s chief medical officer, seventeen percent of total drug cost spending last year was for behavior medicines; compared with sixteen percent for both asthma and antibiotics, eleven percent for skin disorders and six percent for allergy medicines. There was also a 369% increase in spending on ADHD drugs for kids under the age of five. A lot of children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and many of their parents have opted to give them behavioral drugs. Some parents give the drugs because they are not aware of the long term effects or the psychological dependency, and lastly because they are not aware of the alternatives. As parents we have to be more cognizant of what these disorders are and how they affect the child. Drugs are not always the only solution.
Chandler, C. (2011). The Science of ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. New York:
First, there are two different types of ADHD. An individual can be diagnosed with hyperactivity or impulsivity. Those with hyperactivity cannot sit still, talk excessively, and always act as if they are “on the go (intuniv, 2013). If diagnosed with impulsivity symptoms are blurting out words, have a hard time waiting on others and interrupt others regularly. These symptoms make you think of an undisciplined child and are not ones that will make you think of a disease. This disorder can go undetected for quite some time and that can cause unnecessary stress to an individual’s everyday life.
“Some say that this explosion of childhood ADHD is indicative of what’s wrong with our society and education system. They blame parents and an educator for choosing quick fixes for what they say is a behavioral problem, not a brain-based disorder.”
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is very commonly known. Today, ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders among children. The NIMH (The national institute of mental health) predicts that it affecting 3 to 5 percent of all children(AACAP), with an approximate amount of 30% to 65% of these children experiencing persistence of symptoms into adolescence and adulthood (AACAP).There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Predominantly Inattentive Type, and Combination Type(ehow.com). The symptoms of ADHD can be classified into three main categories; hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. These behaviors can interfere with ADHD sufferers’ ability to focus deliberately on organizing and completing a specific task that they may not enjoy. A case of this kind of behavior is recognized in a report written by the National Institute of Mental Health where one of the subjects under study was unable to pass schooling examinations due to her inattentive behavior (clinicaltrials.gov) These kinds of behaviors can damage the person's relationships with others in addition to disrupting their daily life, consuming energy, and diminishing self-esteem, depending on severity of their symptoms (adhd.com). In this paper, the multiple factors of how ADHD affects, and is handled, of those who undergo this disorder, are shown.
...reatments for ADHD: A lifespan approach." Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry 51.2 (2010): 116-133. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 Mar. 2011. Helmke Library, Fort Wayne IN.
Many researchers are finding more valuable discoveries about ADHD. With these new researches will parents raise a concern about their child’s health? Chances are, most parents will ask questions, as well as do research for logic reasoning. Although most parents should consider using treatment like therapy or counseling. These options should be considered first, instead of prescribed medication.
The most common behaviors of ADHD fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD may show several signs of being consistently inattentive. They may have a pattern of being hyperactive and impulsive, or they may show all three types of behavior. Inattention is when people have a hard time keeping their minds on any one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. They may find it agonizing to do homework without getting bored. Often they will forget to plan ahead by writing down the assignment or bringing home the right books. When finally trying to do work they may find themselves drifting to something else; as a result, work will rarely get done.
Researchers in this study decided to focus on families affected by ADHD for several reasons. The first reason is the prevalence of ADHD, for “ADHD in the general population is approximately 3% to 8%” (Lench, Levine, & Whalen, 141). Additionally, parents who report ADHD symptoms a...
There has been an ongoing debate about whether the mental disorder ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is over-diagnosed. ADHD is commonly diagnosed in people, more specifically children, who lack the ability to pay attention, are often disruptive, are hyperactive, and impulsive. A medical personnel or a psychologist diagnoses the children using a list of criteria. It is only in recent years that doctors have begun researching better and more effective ways to diagnosis patients using brain scans. It is because of this, that ADHD is over-diagnosed for several reasons: the different personalities that children can exhibit; parents not taking responsibility as parents; and the lack of proper ways to identify ADHD.